Wall’s ‘vivid and essential’ A-Z biography of Elton John goes to Nine Eight Books

Nine Eight Books, the music imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired Hercules!: An A-Z of Elton John from music journalist, broadcaster and author Mick Wall.

Pete Selby, publishing director, acquired world rights from Matthew Hamilton at the Matthew Hamilton Agency. It’s scheduled for publication in September 2023.

Comprising a vivid and varied series of miniature biographies, revealing profiles, thought-provoking essays and a multitude of previously unknown anecdotes and quotes, the publisher describes Hercules! as “the perfect compendium for the casual fan or devoted connoisseur, providing a funny, comprehensive and fully alphabetised overview of the star’s life and music".

It adds: "Charting the highs and lows, from major record releases and significant tours to strokes of genius and the bottoms of the barrels, this insightful portrait will cover serious subjects such as Elton’s battle with the media, his highly publicised addictions, his route to sobriety, his tangled love life and his struggles to come to terms with his sexuality, hair loss and temper. But, as Elton himself always does so well in the hundreds of interviews he has given over the past half-century, his stories will also be told frankly and humorously, his demons now conquered and his success unrelenting."

Publishing to coincide with Elton’s final UK tour, Hercules! promises to be “a joyride through one of the all-time greatest musical catalogues from a brilliant, versatile, glamorous and universally loved pop superstar". Mick Wall is the author of more than 25 biographies and ghosted memoirs and his writing has also appeared in the Times, the Mail on Sunday, the Observer, the Sunday Express, Mojo, Classic Rock, Rolling Stone and more. His music business career began over 40 years ago and has seen him work, variously, as artist manager, record-company executive, publicity director and tour co-ordinator.

Selby said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce the second in our series of A-Z gifting titles, this time diving into the life and career of Pinner’s finest, Sir Elton Hercules John. The esteemed Mick Wall is our loquacious guide down the yellow brick road, exploring over 50 years of excess and extravagance, from the more curious corners of Elton’s story to the big hits and even bigger personality of one of our most magnificent musical titans.”